Ok, I am a Christian who has lost her way. I am finding my way back to the Lord. I have been searching the forums for anything regarding Episcopal churches because hopefully Sunday I will be attending one. I have been communicating with the Rev. via email. Is Episcopalian a denomination is it a part of a larger denomination? That doesn't really matter, basically curiousness.

I have not seen really in and of the forums for Christian Communities here on CB talk much about Episcopal churches expect for here. I have never attended one.
When a small child we went to a Methodist church, where I was baptized. In my mid-20's started attending an Independent Baptist church and was baptized there after I accepted Christ as my savior. I have attended non-denominational churches.

One thing about this church when I read over the site was that is uses modern praise and worship and ancient liturgy. I have never been to a church that had any form of tradition or where sacraments where really a big deal. This church has Eucharist every week. That is much different from the communion I am use to once a month that really was made into no big deal.

So I have been reading over some of the topics here and at other places online. From other places it say Protestants and Catholics can not worship today, at this church they do.

What can anyone tell me, if anything about what Episcopal is. Would love to hear from anyone who attends a church there Protestants and Catholics come together.

I do hope to attend Sunday but I like know what I am walking into. A bit nervous because I have never been to a church that used any form of liturgy so I am wicked worried I will be totally lost.

I had post earlier today in the non-denominational part but not many replies so I thought here maybe it would fit a bit more. Maybe not. I really do not know. LOL

"The Episcopal Church Welcomes You." This is our motto. It is who we are. All baptized Christians are welcome to worship with us and to receive communion at the Lord's Table. This cite might help some.

The church website of the church that you are considering should tell you what kinds of services are available at the church. There are many styles of worship in the Episcopal Church. Some services are very formal; some are very similar to a praise and worship at a non-denominational church. For example, my church has several different services. My personal preference is one with praise and worship and weekly Eucharist.

I would note that some Episcopal churches have a strong focus on the Eucharist; others, not so much.

A formal service will be easy to follow since it will follow the Prayer Book (with announced directions) or will have prayers projected on the wall (Powerpoint is popular). A less formal prayer service may or may not use the prayer book, and may have the service in a bulletin or on the wall, again with directions. Since we welcome all, and have no membership requirement for Eucharist, we try to make it easy for every one to follow. We expect frequent visitors.

The Episcopal Church in the US is part of the Anglican Communion, a worldwide fellowship of churches that traces its orgins to the British Isles. This board is a fellowship of Anglican Communion churches and other Anglican (English) churches with the similar roots.

Just BTW, John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church was an Anglican priest. The Methodist Church was formed in the US when the Anglican Communion (and the Church of England) did not conrinue their support for English Christians after the Revolutionary War. Methodist are certainly our close bothers and sisters in faith. In many areas, Methodist and Anglicans/Episcopalians feel very comfortable is each others churches.
========
Enough for now. I tust others will most. Feel free to come here to share, to discuss or to ask questions.

Ok, I am a Christian who has lost her way. I am finding my way back to the Lord. I have been searching the forums for anything regarding Episcopal churches because hopefully Sunday I will be attending one. I have been communicating with the Rev. via email. Is Episcopalian a denomination is it a part of a larger denomination? That doesn't really matter, basically curiousness.

I have not seen really in and of the forums for Christian Communities here on CB talk much about Episcopal churches expect for here. I have never attended one.
When a small child we went to a Methodist church, where I was baptized. In my mid-20's started attending an Independent Baptist church and was baptized there after I accepted Christ as my savior. I have attended non-denominational churches.

One thing about this church when I read over the site was that is uses modern praise and worship and ancient liturgy. I have never been to a church that had any form of tradition or where sacraments where really a big deal. This church has Eucharist every week. That is much different from the communion I am use to once a month that really was made into no big deal.

So I have been reading over some of the topics here and at other places online. From other places it say Protestants and Catholics can not worship today, at this church they do.

What can anyone tell me, if anything about what Episcopal is. Would love to hear from anyone who attends a church there Protestants and Catholics come together.

I do hope to attend Sunday but I like know what I am walking into. A bit nervous because I have never been to a church that used any form of liturgy so I am wicked worried I will be totally lost.

I had post earlier today in the non-denominational part but not many replies so I thought here maybe it would fit a bit more. Maybe not. I really do not know. LOL

On the subject of communion/Eucharist and how different churches approach it, this is a major reason for why I attend an Episcopal church along with the one that I am a member of. I grew up with it not being a big deal...kind of like snack time for the adults. I realized as an adult that I needed it more often and with more meaning. I really enjoy the weekly [or more if I don't mind driving to another town on Wednesdays] how the Episcopalians approach it. It is so meaningful and I sense the presence of the Holy Spirit each time. While in my home church, it just isn't the same.

I've been attending over a year now. I don't have it all mastered [when to kneel, genuflect, etc] but it is ok. Everyone is cool with it and I am accepted regardless of whether or not I know what to do and when to do it.

Ok, a lot going on here from my post. This church does have a strong focus on a strong focus on the Eucharist. There is one service, it mixed ancient liturgy, services are full of praise and worship music. They do use the prayer book, which I never have before. Hadn't even heard of it before till I was emailing with the Rev.
I know they are pro-life.
Here is a link to the church lifepathchurchri . com (can't do links, not enough posts)Didn't expect to be told to run away as fast as I can. Between the church website and the ICCEC page I did not see anything about things the one poster said.
I really like the idea of tradition mixed with praise and worship. I am already nervous about tomorrow(I have social anxiety), so it is always hard for me to go new places, with new people.

"The Episcopal Church Welcomes You." This is our motto. It is who we are. All baptized Christians are welcome to worship with us and to receive communion at the Lord's Table. This cite might help some."

Went to the site, the church I am looking at is not listed there. Now I am very confused.

This is a group of conservative churches that have broken away from the Anglican Communion, and are part of GAFCON, a group of Anglican/Episcopal churches almost as large as the Anglican Communion. They too will "welcome you".

"The Episcopal Church Welcomes You." This is our motto. It is who we are. All baptized Christians are welcome to worship with us and to receive communion at the Lord's Table. This cite might help some."

Went to the site, the church I am looking at is not listed there. Now I am very confused.

If you're interested in Anglicanism, try continuing Anglican parishes or other more conservative, traditional Anglican groups like the Anglican Catholic Church or ACNA parishes. I'd recommend against TEC.

Well, Lily, I just say take it slowly. No rush. The Holy Spirit is working in your life. I'm not a "conservative" either in politics or "real life" but rather in social issues like abortion, homosexuality, cohabitation, and other lifestyles. Politically I voted for Obama and plan to do so again. I'm a teacher, a union representative on my campus, pro-environment, a "tree-hugger," a vegetarian, pro-entitlements, and many other facets of my personality are liberal. I am also conservative in other ways. So I think it's healthy to be a little of both. I just say to take your time and look at all avenues. The Lutherans like LCMS and WELS Lutheran groups are great, ACNA is decent, and I'd look at Catholicism and Orthodoxy as well. Give them all a chance, read A LOT OF CHURCH HISTORY AND THE FATHERS, and don't be guided by the whims of the age, be guided holistically by the whole thing.

You sound like God is working something special in your. I wish you the best and will pray for your journey and His help! Good luck to you!

Yes I am reading. I have the chance today and this evening to read a lot as I have the house to myself. Doing research now on churches and history. No I do not want to rush into anything. I know that is not good for me. If I rush into something I am going somewhere on a whim and not listening to God.

I do feel the Lord is do something special in me and it feels wonderful.

If this isn't it, please give us the church web address (or physical address) and we'll give you more.
===================================
Perhaps we are going around this the wrong way. What are you looking for? From your original post, I was under the impression that you were looking for an open, welcoming church, that will nourish you whever you are, and not pass judgement with regard to your present situation, whatever that is.

There is much variety in the various Episcopal church groups. Some are more evangelical, some more sacramental, some more charismatic. Some have have women as priests, some do not. Some have active homosexuals as priests; most consider homosexuality a sin.

OK, I like this church (and its worldwide organization) well enough that I will check out whether there are any close to me. There don't seem to be any really close.

Their core message isGod loves you.
God has forgiven you.
God is not angry at you.
And God will never leave you, nor forsake you.

This church is conservative, traditional, chrismatic, sacramental and has bands performing the liturgy. The Book of Common Prayer is primarily used, although the church has influences from bot Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.

Lifepath is a parish of the Charismatic Episcopal Church. The "CEC" is a denomination that was founded in the 1990s, blending the historic Episcopalian worship format and governance (by priests, bishops, etc.) with Charismatic beliefs and worship style. To some people, that's hard to envision, but it's true. The CEC tends to want to be seen as something new and very contemporary, as even the untraditional name, Lifepath, suggests, yet as continuing the essence of the ancient church's beliefs and liturgy (worship). Note the weekly communion, pastor who is called "Father," the statement that where Scripture is silent Lifepath follows the ancient church's traditions, emphasis on the sacraments, etc.

I'll comment further if you have other questions and this sounds like a church you might have an interest in. Or you can go to the website of the CEC (known internationally as the ICCEC) at http://iccec.org

Their core message isGod loves you.
God has forgiven you.
God is not angry at you.
And God will never leave you, nor forsake you.

I love their core message, it really spoke to me when I read it.

This church is conservative, traditional, chrismatic, sacramental and has bands performing the liturgy. The Book of Common Prayer is primarily used, although the church has influences from bot Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.

This is where I am a bit nervous or something. Unfamiliar I guess. The Book Of Common Prayer is something I had never heard of before reading about the church. I have never been to a Catholic church or Eastern Orthodox. Very unfamiliar. How do you walk in and know what to do?

It is an interesting church that is open to all.

I would note that there are no women priests.

Click to expand...

Both the above points are important to me.
I also like how it has a focus on Eucharist/Communion. Not something I am use to. Every church I have gone to, it was always the first Sunday of the month and not really made to seem all that important.

The Rev. has been very nice and emailing with me. Of course the best way to know how a church is, is to visit. I can not visit tomorrow as my husband and boys went camping, so I do not have my car. I do need to do more prayer on this.

I have social anxiety, so going into any new setting with new people is hard for me. Going into a church I am so unfamiliar with is harder. I have always going to Baptist churches(some very bad experiences) and non-denominational.

I have been reading up on the ancient liturgy and I am very intrigued. I like the setting of "come as you are", as every church I have been to has been like that, but one(very bad experience), the modern praise and worship music and then tradition.

I would love to seek out someone here to talk to with about ancient liturgy since it is foreign to me.

Since this church is Charismatic Episcopal does it fall here is this part of the forum. Does it go under the Charismatic part of the forum?

I want to be in the right place, especially if this does be where the Lord is leading me. Which so far I think he is. I am still praying on this as I feel that is very important to do.

I would take my time for sure. I would visit the Episcopal, an ACNA Anglican parish, the Orthodox, and the Catholics. Read up and read hard on their theological positions. I'd read the Early Church Fathers like St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Polycarp, the Cappadocian Fathers, the Desert Fathers, Augustine, and I'd pour through the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I'd read the Book of Common Prayer including the 39 Articles. I'd read about the Reformation in England. I highly recommend Diarmaid MacCulloch's books "The Reformation" and "Thomas Cranmer." I'd read both conservative and liberal approaches to Anglicanism as well. Likewise I'd recommend looking at the Eastern Orthodox Church as well as Lutherans and analyzing the differences, pros, cons, and take my time. Make an informed, steady, prayerful decision. I wouldn't just leap. But in the meantime, try contacting many priests via email. I have wonderful Orthodox, Catholic, and Anglican priests and other contacts I keep up with in email. They're all a treasure to me. Take your time! May God bless and guide your path!

Both the above points are important to me. I also like how it has a focus on Eucharist/Communion. Not something I am use to. Every church I have gone to, it was always the first Sunday of the month and not really made to seem all that important.

The Rev. has been very nice and emailing with me. Of course the best way to know how a church is, is to visit. I can not visit tomorrow as my husband and boys went camping, so I do not have my car. I do need to do more prayer on this.

I have social anxiety, so going into any new setting with new people is hard for me. Going into a church I am so unfamiliar with is harder. I have always going to Baptist churches(some very bad experiences) and non-denominational.

I have been reading up on the ancient liturgy and I am very intrigued. I like the setting of "come as you are", as every church I have been to has been like that, but one(very bad experience), the modern praise and worship music and then tradition.

I would love to seek out someone here to talk to with about ancient liturgy since it is foreign to me.

Since this church is Charismatic Episcopal does it fall here is this part of the forum. Does it go under the Charismatic part of the forum?

I want to be in the right place, especially if this does be where the Lord is leading me. Which so far I think he is. I am still praying on this as I feel that is very important to do.

I politely disagree. One does not need a degree in theology to choose the right church for them. I agree that reading and asking is very good, but Gurney Halleck's required reading list would take me years to finish. For me, being part of a church community is important. After getting my head around the basics -- good luck when it comes to the churches represented in this forum, you are better to learn about the church in question from the priest -- I would need to experience a bit of it before going to the library for all of that heavy reading. But this is me.